Oh, it’s getting to be that time of year when it’s so hard to choose what to do on the weekend, because there’s so much going on. Here are our top five picks for this weekend and into early next week.

STATE FAIR OF TEXAS: Big Tex and his helpers — let’s call them Tex-elves — look forward to greeting us starting this weekend. This year’s fair opens Friday and runs through Oct. 21, and as always, organizers have come up with lots that’s new and inviting to lure you in. You can also wish Tex a happy 60th birthday. Dude! You don’t look a day over 25! Topping the list of fresh adventures for 2012’s fair, which has the theme “Big and Bright,” has to be the intriguing Chinese Lantern Festival, a first-of-its-kind event in Texas, which fair officials call a “nighttime dreamscape of illuminated art

Kevin Costner will perform at the fair with his band, Modern West. (PHOTO: File/2010)

portraying animals, buildings and stories.” The fest will also be open during daylight hours, and will feature live stage performances, Chinese food, crafts and a market. Also new this year: The Girl Scouts celebrate their 100th anniversary with an exhibit at the Hall of State, and there’ll be free cookie giveaways daily at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Of course, we all have our “can’t-miss” attractions at the fair: the pig races, the saltwater taffy, the always-amazing butter sculpture and the ultra-glam chickens in the Poultry Barn (America’s Next Top Hen, in a cage near you). And the Main Stage music! This year’s line-up includes recent Emmy winner Kevin Coster and his band, Modern West. $16 at the gate; see website for online and other discounts. Chinese Lantern Festival and parking are extra. At Fair Park, Dallas (Fair Park or MLK Jr. stations on DART Rail‘s Green Line). 214-565-9931. bigtex.com. — Joy Tipping

Kevin Eubanks (PHOTO: Kathleen Galligan/Detroit News)

FORT WORTH MUSIC FESTIVAL: Fall is in the air, so there’s no excuse not to enjoy the two-day Fort Worth Music Festival, which will be held outside the Will Rogers Memorial Center. Especially when the lineup of performers is fierce. Local, regional and national acts — Kevin Eubanks, Hayes Carll, the Reverend Horton Heat, the Relatives, Dr. Dog, the Orbans, Telegraph Canyon, Hudson Moore, Air Review, Peterson Brothers Band, Whiskey Folk Ramblers, Sons of Fathers, Supersuckers and so many more — are ready to take the stage. And if you tire of the music (gasp!), you can indulge in cooking classes by area chefs, a barrage of artworks for sale by Dallas-Fort Worth artists and all sort of odds-and-ends gear by local vendors. But it’s all about the music, folks. Twenty acts performing on two stages. What more do you need? Friday from 4 to 10:30 p.m. and Saturday from 1:45 to 10:30 p.m. on the tree-lined lawn of the Will Rogers Memorial Center, 3401 W. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth. Doors open at 3 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday. $7.50 each day for general admission, $75 each day for VIP passes. fwfest.com. — Mario Tarradell

Did someone say BAKLAVA?!? (PHOTO: File/2006)

GREEK FOOD FESTIVAL OF DALLAS: Get a taste of Greece at this annual festival, which is in its 56th year. There’ll be plenty of gyros, spanakopita, dolmas and baklava, as well as Greek wine and beer, live music and traditional folk dancing. The event kicks off with Opa Hour, where you can learn to dance. Attendees can find info on Greek heritage at the Hellenic Culture Center, and the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church will be open for tours. There will also be cooking demos, an international marketplace, a pastry shop and an area where you can purchase many of the ingredients found in Greek cooking. Friday from 4 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday from 11 to 4 p.m. at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 13555 Hillcrest Road, Dallas. $6 for ages 13 and up, free for children 12 and under; $3 during Opa Hour on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. 972-991-1166. 972-233-4880. greekfestivalofdallas.com. — Ellen Ritscher Sackett

Sexy beasts at Dog Day Afternoon (PHOTO: Shawna Hinkel Photography)

DOG DAY AFTERNOON: Operation Kindness, North Texas’ oldest and largest no-kill animal shelter, hosts this free annual pet-friendly celebration, presented by Pet Supplies Plus. Dogs and their owners from all over the area will gather for a day filled with vendors, giveaways, live music by Moving Targets, canine contests (including one for costumes), a pet psychic, an Operation Kindness alumni parade, free face painting and more. It all benefits homeless and unwanted animals. Natural Balance will provide free microchipping to the first 45 dogs. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at White Rock Park at Flag Pole Hill, 8100 Doran Circle, Dallas. Free admission and parking. operationkindness.org. — Ellen Ritscher Sackett

Off we go into the wild, blue yonder ...

WARBIRDS OVER ADDISON AIR SHOW: It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, actually, it’s both. Vintage warbirds — including the Cavanaugh Flight Museum’s P-51 Mustang, Skyraider, FM-2 Wildcat, P-40 Warhawk, OV-1D Mohawk and F4U Corsair — will fly high during this annual celebration of aviation history. There will be additional aircraft on display and a Sherman tank demo, too. Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum, 4572 Claire Chennault St., Addison. $10 for adults, $5 for children 4 to 12, free for children under 3. 972-380-8800. cavanaughflightmuseum.com. — Ellen Ritscher Sackett